Ever since I am studying in Sydney, I dont often go to the theatre for movie. Sole factor: price ~>.<~
Yet, I got a free movie voucher as a staff gift from the office, so I head to the cinema after work, despite I have to walk for nearly 20 minutes to the nearest cinema :))
Watched Chef alone, at the back of an empty theatre, well, literally empty since there is only a couple of people occupying each of the 5 out of 7 rows. Needless to mention about the storyline, since Goolge helped quite a bit. Quoting from IMDb:
Chef Carl Casper suddenly quits his job at a prominent Los Angeles restaurant after refusing to compromise his creative integrity for its controlling owner, he is left to figure out what's next. Finding himself in Miami, he teams up with his ex-wife, his friend and his son to launch a food truck. Taking to the road, Chef Carl goes back to his roots to reignite his passion for the kitchen -- and zest for life and love.I would say this story draws one of the ideal life one can get. In fact, it is these kind of attitudes and courages that one will be encourage to have. I being a pessimistic person, but trying real hard not to, I always thinks that it is not impossible but it is hard. This is about losing control on one's life, when things just go wrong, nothing works out, you dropped hard on the floor from the height etc. And in a certain way, it does reflecting what had happened. The magnitude might not be as great as this, but it al depends on individual's life and perspective, and I could say that the pattern of it is definitely similar.
So, thoughts for the movie that I like, learned and realized:
1. Social media today is incredibly powerful, it can brings you up, and no doubt, it can throws you down. The power of sharing, retweeting, and is all about what others think (Might or might not be the fact of an issue). Is a double-edged sword,
水能载舟，亦能覆舟
2. Words hurt. Even more than the physical pain. The worst part of it, you cant argue with it verbally (referring to passive communication using words). You cant clarify it immediately, even you attempt to make correction to it immediately, because it subject to whether did the recipient read it.So be mindful with the words.
3. Friendship. Ideally, your best friend/supporter will be loyal to you, follow you and support you all the way through. Even if you are in deep sh*t. From the movie, you can see that one of the chef buddy has followed him and the other one didnt. Being emotional, you can say that the other one is a coward or doesn't value the friendship, but think about it, rationally, in reality, how many of your friends will do the same? Moral of the story is, treasure those friends that really back you up! (Doesnt mean that the rest are no body, just show extra appreciation to those will do so.) 帮助你是人情，不帮你是道理。
4. Dad, an influential individual. Regardless you are the daughter or the son, both parents definitely have certain influence over you. Here comes the biological inheritance, DNA talk etc. Besides this movie, backing up from other reality shows clips, parents occupation and future do highly influencing the child's future prospect, in particular, dad. He is the one that overpowering the potential path of their children.
5. Time spent together/Communication. Is all about the moment that you had with someone, be it father-son, husband-wife, employer-employee or all other sort of relationship. Time + communication. A definite combination for maintaining relationship. Especially when we are referring to those who really matters to us. Once neglected and ignored, there goes the relationship. From the movie - one second of everyday.
6. When you fall, think of why you started it. After the soaring heights, we tend to lose ourselves, being distracted with the fame, power, respect etc that we earned throughout. In an unfortunate event, once you fall, it is devastating. Now, it is about standing up from the mud despite the heartbreaking moment. Recall the reasons you chose the path, the reasons you made that choice. If you cant go further, revert back and start from the beginning, and work all the way up again.
7. There is no eternal enemy. Although you have been through a nasty moment with someone, being hurt or 'humiliate', there is no need to keep that negative feeling deep down. Because these guys, in future might be the one that help you out when you most needed. Put it in another way, the past is past. Look forward to another kind of meet up in future with your 'enemy'. (P/s: if he or she hurts you again, just ignore him/her and by pass them, your time worth much more than having to hate them).
8.Opportunity will come. There is never a dead end (unless you died). Keep looking out for opportunities! Even a small one! When you have build up the skills and accumulate the experience, better things will come along. Like the saying "Opportunity will come to those who are prepared".
9. Do what you like and trust yourself. Do what you enjoy and be the expert of it! Even if you fail, you know that your passion towards it will make you a pro! Like one conversation between the chef to his son - I might not be a good husband, I might not be a best father, but I am good in this, real good. I am good in what I do (cant remember the exact phrase, but something similar). All about confidence and self-esteem you have, and never afraid of climbing up again when you are at your worst. (Like the scene where he dine in in Miami with his exwife and ex father-in-law)
10. The working world. When you are out there, working for someone, the most you can do is to suggest, whether to do it or not, it all depends on your boss/owner of the business (or sometimes, your customer). Let just face it! You have no say, unless you are the boss. Welcome to the reality, the hard cold fact.
Btw, the food really looks good on screen, so make sure you had eaten before the show stars, otherwise, you will be drooling all the way till the end ;)